The History of Adult Toys

Many people assume sex toys were invented bywhen women were not considered sexual beings.
the Asians. While it's true that Asians have usedDoctors would treat female hysteria by
sexual aids for more than a 1000 years, dildosmassasing their patients' genitals until they
and vibrators have surprisingly western roots.experienced relief by paroxysm (orgasm).
No one is certain who invented the dildo, howeverIn the late 19th century the first electric vibrators
its popularity is owed to an ancient Greek portsurfaced. They were still camouflaged as therapy
city, Miletus, on the west coast of the presentfor female hysteria and were sold only to
day Turkey. Miletus traders sold what the Greeksdoctors. Gradually magazines started to advertise
called Olibos around the Mediterranean. In ancientsuch devices to women for self treament of
Greece they were used as sexual refuges forhysteria at home. In 1918, Sears Roebuck, and
lonely ladies.american chain of department stores touted one
In Italy the word Olibos became the word dildo,vibrator as being a very satisfactory aid every
probably from the Italian word diletto, meaning towoman appreciates. Then an advertisement in a
delight. However, compared with todays toys you1921 issue of "Heart's" magazine urged men to
could hardly describe them as delightful as theybuy the devices for their wives to keep them
were made from wood, leather and stone.young and pretty and free from the illness of
Dildos have always had a sexual purpose fromhysteria.
the moment they were invented, vibrators on theBut during the 1920s, early "blue" movies showed
other hand have not. Vibrators were invented 130women using the devices for sexual stimulation.
years ago to treat a medical illness known asEarly pornography stripped vibrators of their social
"female hysteria". Hysteria, meaning sufferingcamouflage of being massagers, and by 1930,
uterus in Greek, involved anxiety, irritability, sexualthey were no longer openly advertised. Today,
fantasies, pelvic heaviness and excessive vaginalAdult Toys are popular sexual aids and are sold
lubrication - sexual arousal during the Victorian era,for sexual purposes.